Jump LinksFord's Upper-Market Sedan Is Available With A Wide Range Of PowertrainsIt's Also Considerably LargerWhen it comes to buying a sensible sedan runabout, there are few better options than the trusty 2026 Toyota Corolla. The Japanese compact machine provides a decent amount of performance, practicality, and interior creature comforts for a shade above $22,000. In addition, the thing can be trusted to get you to your destination without forcing you to get the bus, as it helps itself to the contents of your wallet. The only element it lacks is that little bit of verve that would get you looking back at it while you stroll off from the parking lot.To get around this, there are plenty of more interesting vehicles on the used market waiting to be snapped up. We reckon one of the most captivating is the 2020 Lincoln MKZ, a luxury midsize sedan designed to take on the likes of the Corolla's bigger and plusher cousin, the Lexus ES. They can be had for less than a brand-new base Corolla these days, and while they may not be as cost-effective to run, they certainly provide a bit of extra special sauce. The MKZ Was A Jazzed-Up Fusion LincolnThe MKZ was Lincoln's midsize luxury sedan built to take on the likes of the ES, as well as the Acura TLX and Volvo S60, and was offered between 2006 and 2020. It was built on the same underpinnings as the Ford Fusion and was essentially a more luxurious version of the popular model, with Lincoln as the American giant's luxury division. In addition to offering smoother, more powerful engine options, the MKZ was also graced with a superior range of equipment and cabin furnishings than the Ford-badged sedan.The MKZ was discontinued at the same time as the Fusion due to Ford shifting its focus to the lucrative SUV market, which has led the MKZ to slide into relative obscurity in recent years. There are several benefits to buying one of these as opposed to a new Corolla, and one of the clearest is how much more pace you could have at your command. Available With A Wide Range Of Powertrains LincolnThe MKZ could be had with several powerplants. The standard one was a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four. This 245-horsepower unit was the same one that powered the range-topping Ford Fusion Titanium. It came with a six-speed automatic and front- or all-wheel drive. If you were feeling flush or had a craving for some power, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 was also on the menu. In standard FWD form, the engine kicked out 350 hp, though the AWD option awarded you an extra 50 hp, capping peak output at a tantalizing 400 hp. When combined with the added traction from the AWD system, the MKZ could hit 60 mph in less than five seconds.For those wanting to save some money at the pumps, the 2.0-liter hybrid version would be best suited. While the turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 options can only manage an average MPG of 23 and 21, respectively, the hybrid can cruise along doing a strong 41 MPG. You'll have to give away a bit of outright pace to get this figure, with the combined power output standing at only 188 hp. Each Breed Of MKZ Is Similarly Priced LincolnOverall, each powertrain is well-suited to a different audience. The hybrid is ideal for those wanting to stop at the pumps as little as possible. The V6 is optimal for drivers looking for effortless pace and smoothness, and the turbocharged four-cylinder is a good mixture of the two. Luckily, all the options are pretty close in terms of price. The CarBuzz Marketplace reports that while the average value of final-year 2020 MKZ Turbo I4 Reserves currently sits at a very reasonable $20,703, the 350-hp V6 demands a few extra thousand on top to secure.The hybrid sits somewhere in the middle, with equivalent examples with the same sort of condition and mileage generally costing a grand or two more than the turbocharged four-cylinder. If you can set your budget at a tidy $20,000, you'd be able to secure a range-topping Reserve trim in good condition with around 50,000 miles on the clock, featuring the turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant. A V6 car can be secured for the same cash, with around 60,000 to 70,000 miles on the clock, while hybrid versions come in at between 50,000 and 60,000 miles.Whichever best suits your lifestyle, the MKZ represents a pretty solid bargain, with low-mileage examples priced well under $2,000, less than a new Corolla demands. You'll Have Plenty Of Extra Luxury On Hand Versus A Corolla LincolnAside from the more powerful engine range the MKZ boasts, another key reason the machine is tempting is the level of plushness found once you step inside. The beauty of being able to purchase the Reserve trim for such a small outlay is that you get pretty much every piece of equipment ever offered with the MKZ. Heated and electrically operated leather seats come standard, as does an electric moonroof that can be retracted to flood the cabin with stunning natural light. Beyond this, occupants also have access to soothing ambient lighting that adds a touch of class to the cabin, while a powered tailgate means you won't have to get your fingers dirty while accessing the trunk.The cabin comes with aluminum trim as standard, though look around, and you could find an example fitted with sophisticated wood trim. Other optional additions included cooled and massaging seats, an upgraded surround-sound system, and a set of larger, sportier alloy wheels. The MKZ would certainly make you feel more like royalty than the Corolla can. It's Also Considerably Larger Lincoln Alongside being more luxurious thanks to the extra toys the MKZ brings to the party, it also delivers when it comes to the amount of space its occupants can enjoy. While both feature seating for five, the midsize Lincoln provides extra legroom for front and rear passengers, as well as a trunk that offers an extra two cubic feet of space. That said, the Corolla does get its own back when it comes to headroom, as the Toyota has around an inch of headspace both front and rear.It must be said that if one of your friends insists on wearing a tall hat everywhere they go, they might prefer to ride in the Corolla. Lincoln's Upper-Market Sedan Isn't The Cheapest Car To Run LincolnBefore you start combing through the classifieds, consider that the MKZ will cost a fair chunk more to maintain than a Corolla, even if you manage to spend less on buying a used specimen in the first place. According to RepairPal, you'll need to set aside about $831 per year to keep the vehicle running sweet. While this is well over double what a Corolla demands from you, it's also not far from twice what its Lexus ES competitor will need every 12 months.The most common issue with the MKZ relates to its automatic transmission, which has the tendency to develop rough or delayed shifts. While a valve body replacement can fix the problem, you may also need to completely rebuild or replace the gearbox, which can cost well over $2,500. Make sure to thoroughly test the transmission on any car you decide to look at by cycling through each of the gears at different speeds to see if any misshifts or roughness make their presence felt. If so, you'd be better off walking away and finding another one. Aside from this, the MKZ generally suffers from fewer serious quality-related issues. Make sure the trunk lid shuts properly, as the mechanism on these is known to sometimes fail, while power steering fluid leaks can develop from various areas of the steering system.Find one without any of these kinks, though, and you'll have one hell of a bargain luxury sedan on your hands. It's not only quicker and smoother than a new Corolla, but it's also packed with more equipment and better-quality materials, and it rides in a superior fashion. Plus, your neighbors will think you're earning more money, and when was that ever a negative?